Quick answer
Fayetteville costs $270/month less overall ($1,470 vs $1,740/mo). But Ann Arbor's 4.25% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $120/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Ann Arbor vs Fayetteville
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Ann Arbor vs Fayetteville at a Glance
| Metric | Ann Arbor | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,250 | $1,300 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,550 | $1,300 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $485K | $380K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $160 | $120 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $330 | $300 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,740 | $1,470 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 75/100 ✓ | 65/100 |
| Transit Score | 52/100 ✓ | 35/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% ✓ | 4.4% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Fayetteville's 1BR averages $1,050/month vs $1,250 in Ann Arbor — a $200/month difference, or $2,400/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Ann Arbor charges 4.25% state income tax vs 4.4% in Fayetteville. On an $80K salary that's a $120/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,280 vs $5,100 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Fayetteville are $380K vs $485K in Ann Arbor. At a 20% down payment, that's a $21,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Ann Arbor utilities run $40 more per month than Fayetteville. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Fayetteville, AR
Fayetteville's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Ann Arbor
Cold, snowy winters (15-30°F, 40-50 inches snow annually). Summers are mild (78-82°F, 55-65% humidity). Lake effect snow from Lake Michigan is significant.
Fayetteville
Humid subtropical with warm summers (88°F average), mild winters (40°F average), and high spring tornado risk. Annual precipitation 49 inches.
Job Market
Ann Arbor top industries
Fayetteville top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Ann Arbor if…
- →You're a Students & alumni
- →You're a Academics & researchers
- →You're a Healthcare professionals
- →You're a Young professionals
- →You want to live without a car
Move to Fayetteville if…
- →You're a Tech workers and software engineers
- →You're a Walmart employees
- →You're a Families seeking good schools
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts (hiking, biking)
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ann Arbor or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Fayetteville is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,470 in Fayetteville vs $1,740 in Ann Arbor — a $270/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Ann Arbor or Fayetteville?
Ann Arbor is more walkable with a Walk Score of 75/100 vs 65/100. Fayetteville is more car-dependent.
Ann Arbor vs Fayetteville: which has lower state income tax?
Ann Arbor has lower state income tax (4.25%). On an $80K salary, that saves $120/year vs Fayetteville (4.4%).
Is Ann Arbor or Fayetteville better for buying a home?
Fayetteville has lower median home prices at $380K vs $485K in Ann Arbor — a $105,000 difference on the median home.